Short answer: ESPN Select is what used to be called ESPN+: the streaming-only extras, now $13.99 a month. ESPN Unlimited adds the actual ESPN TV networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network and ACC Network, for $31.99. Most people who want "ESPN" mean the channels, so Select alone will disappoint them. The catch: if you already pay for cable, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV or another bundle that carries ESPN, you can usually log in to Unlimited for free with that provider, so buying it separately means paying twice.
At a glance
ESPN Select vs Unlimited
| ESPN Select | $13.99/mo or $139.99/yr: the old ESPN+ |
| ESPN Unlimited | $31.99/mo or $319.99/yr: all ESPN networks |
| Monday Night Football | Unlimited only |
| Already have a TV bundle? | Unlimited likely included via login |
| Cheapest route to Unlimited | Often a Disney+ or Fox One bundle |
First, check whether you already have it
Before you compare anything, open the ESPN app and look for a "sign in with TV provider" option. If your cable company or your live TV streaming service carries the ESPN channels, that login gets you ESPN Unlimited content at no extra charge. ESPN confirmed this when it launched the new app in August 2025, and it's still how it works in 2026.
This matters because a lot of people are about to pay $31.99 a month for something they already own. Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV's base plan, Sling Orange, Fubo and DirecTV's Signature packages all carry ESPN. DirecTV explicitly includes ESPN Unlimited app access in its packages.
If you don't have any of those, carry on.
The real difference, channel by channel
The naming is confusing, so here's the plain version. Select is a streaming service with its own events. Unlimited is Select plus everything ESPN shows on TV.
| What you get | ESPN Select | ESPN Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ exclusive events and 30 for 30 library | Yes | Yes |
| ESPN and ESPN2 live | No | Yes |
| ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes | No | Yes |
| SEC Network and ACC Network | No | Yes |
| SEC Network+ and ACC Network Extra | No | Yes |
| ESPN on ABC simulcasts | No | Yes |
| NFL Network | No | Listed as newly added |
| Monday Night Football, SportsCenter live | No | Yes |
Select's own content is not nothing. It includes a large slate of college games that never reach TV, NHL games, UFC events (pay-per-views have historically cost extra), international soccer such as the Bundesliga, plus golf and tennis streams, and the full documentary archive. For fans of those specific things, $13.99 is fair.
What it doesn't have is anything people usually mean when they say "put ESPN on". No Monday Night Football, no NBA on ESPN, no College GameDay, no SEC game of the week.
Prices and bundles
ESPN changed its prices in late summer 2026. According to ESPN's support page, anyone subscribed before August 20, 2026 keeps their old price until their first bill after September 17, 2026. New prices:
| Option | Monthly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Select | $13.99 | $139.99 | Streaming-only extras |
| ESPN Unlimited | $31.99 | $319.99 | Previously $29.99 / $299.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited | from about $35.99 (check current) | n/a | Best value if you'd use Disney+ |
| Fox One + ESPN Unlimited | $39.99 (launch price) | n/a | Adds Fox, FS1, Big Ten Network, Fox News |
The bundles are where the maths gets interesting. At launch, the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle cost barely more than Unlimited alone, which made Unlimited on its own a poor buy for anyone who'd use Disney+. Bundle prices may have moved with the September increase, so check the current number, but the pattern tends to hold: the bundle is the better deal.
Annual plans save about two months' worth. They only make sense if you watch year-round. A college football fan who checks out in January is better off paying monthly and cancelling.
What each tier gets you, sport by sport
NFL: Unlimited. Monday Night Football is on ESPN and ABC. Select has no NFL games. For the whole map of where games air, see where to watch the NFL in 2026.
College football: Unlimited for the big games (ESPN, ABC, SEC Network, ACC Network). Select has hundreds of smaller-conference games, which is great if your team is in one of those conferences.
NBA: Unlimited. ESPN and ABC carry national games through the playoffs and Finals.
NHL: both have something. Select has out-of-market games; Unlimited adds ESPN and ABC national games.
MLB: limited on both. ESPN still has some national games, but the bulk of baseball is elsewhere.
Soccer: Select carries some leagues, like the Bundesliga; Unlimited adds whatever ESPN networks show live, such as some international and US matches.
Local games: ESPN's app, like most national sports services, may black out some games in your local market. Check before you rely on it for your home team.
The app, screens and picture quality
Both tiers live in the same ESPN app, so the viewing experience is identical; Unlimited simply unlocks more of the schedule. The app runs on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, phones and browsers.
A few practical details worth knowing before you pay:
- Live channels on Unlimited behave like TV. You can tune to ESPN or SEC Network and watch whatever's on, rather than hunting for individual events.
- There's no traditional cloud DVR. ESPN relies on replays and on-demand versions of events, which usually appear within hours and stay available for days or weeks depending on the rights. If you want to record anything you like, a live TV bundle with DVR is still better.
- 4K is limited. ESPN produces most events in 1080p, with HDR on some. Where 4K is offered, reviewers note it's often upscaled rather than native.
- Stream limits apply. ESPN doesn't advertise a large family-sharing allowance, so a house with three people watching different games at once may hit a limit. Check the terms if that's you.
None of this changes the choice between Select and Unlimited. It does explain why some heavy sports households still prefer a full live TV service over ESPN on its own.
Who should buy which
Buy Select if you already have ESPN through a TV provider and want the extras on top, or you specifically follow things only Select streams: a smaller-conference college team, out-of-market NHL, UFC Fight Nights, a European league.
Buy Unlimited if you have no TV bundle and want ESPN's channels without the rest of cable. For a sports fan who only needs ESPN, it's cheaper than any full live TV service. Pair it with a free antenna for CBS, NBC and Fox and you've covered most of the NFL for about $32 a month. Our antenna guide explains how to check reception.
Buy the Disney bundle instead if anyone in the house would watch Disney+ or Hulu. The small premium over Unlimited is almost always worth it.
Buy the Fox One bundle if you want college football on both ESPN and Fox (Big Ten on Fox and FS1 especially). It's a sports-heavy pair that covers more than most people expect.
Buy nothing if you only watch a handful of games a year. Sling's day passes (about $4.99) include ESPN and are cheaper for occasional viewing.
What to avoid
Buying Select thinking it's "ESPN". It's the most common mistake with the new tiers. If you want Monday Night Football, Select won't show it.
Paying twice. Check your TV provider login first.
The annual plan in October. Buying a year of Unlimited at the start of football season means paying for summer months with little on. Monthly and cancel is usually cheaper for seasonal fans.
"ESPN for $5" offers from unknown sellers. ESPN's channels are sold only by ESPN and its licensed partners. Anything else is unlicensed and liable to stop without warning. Our guide to what's legal in the US explains the difference, and our device guide covers hardware that runs the official ESPN app well.
Quick answers
What's the difference between ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited? Select is the old ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited adds live ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network and the other ESPN channels.
How much is ESPN Unlimited? $31.99 a month or $319.99 a year for new subscribers from late summer 2026.
How much is ESPN Select? $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year.
Does ESPN Select include Monday Night Football? No. You need ESPN Unlimited or a TV service that carries ESPN.
Is ESPN Unlimited free with cable or YouTube TV? If your provider carries ESPN, you can usually sign in to the ESPN app with it and get Unlimited content at no extra charge.
Is the old ESPN+ gone? It's been renamed ESPN Select. Existing ESPN+ subscribers were moved to it.
Which bundle is best value? For most households, the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle, because it costs little more than Unlimited alone.
Prices from ESPN's support pages and Disney's published plan descriptions; bundle prices change more often than standalone ones. Blackout rules vary by sport and location. Checked September 2026.